What Can You Take to the Scrap Metal Yard?

Selling scrap metal to a scrap metal dealer is an excellent way to make some extra cash while getting rid of unwanted items. Whether you’re cleaning out your garage, renovating your home, or dismantling an old vehicle, many materials can be sold to scrap metal yard. These items are usually made of metals that have a high resale value, which can be repurposed or reused in various industries.

What Can You Take to the Scrap Metal Yard? A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Scrap Metals

In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of scrap metals you can take to the scrap metal yard and sell to a scrap metal dealer. From copper scrap to car parts, we’ll cover it all.

1. Copper Scrap

Copper is one of the most valuable metals in the scrap industry. It is widely used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and various industrial applications. Copper is sought after by scrap metal dealers due to its high demand and ability to retain its value when recycled.

What Can You Sell as Copper Scrap:

• Copper Wire: Electrical wiring, especially in homes, construction, and appliances, often contains copper. Scrap metal dealers typically pay more for copper wire that has been stripped of its insulation.
• Copper Pipes: Old plumbing pipes are a common form of copper scrap. Copper is often used in plumbing due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.
• Copper Sheet and Plate: Copper sheets or plates found in industrial equipment or machinery can also be sold at scrap metal yard.

Selling copper scrap to dealers can bring in a solid payout due to the metal’s high market value. Keep in mind that clean copper, free of paint or other coatings, typically fetches a higher price.

2. Copper Wire Scrap

Copper wire scrap is one of the easiest metals to collect and sell, particularly for electricians, renovators, or anyone working with electrical systems. Copper wire is found in a wide range of materials, including home appliances, extension cords, and even electronics.

Key Points When Selling Copper Wire:

• Insulated vs. Bare Copper Wire: Insulated copper wire generally has a lower value compared to bare copper wire, but stripping the wire to remove the insulation can significantly increase its worth.
• Different Grades of Copper Wire: Copper wire is classified into different grades. Clean, uncoated copper wire (often referred to as #1 copper) typically commands the highest price, while copper wire with insulation or corrosion may fall under a lower grade, such as #2 copper.

3. Aluminum Scrap

Aluminum is another widely used metal, found in everything from beverage cans to car parts. Aluminum is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and recyclable, making it a great choice for scrap metal dealers. It’s also one of the most profitable metals you can sell.

What Can You Sell as Aluminum Scrap:

• Aluminum Cans: The most common form of aluminum scrap, aluminum cans are easily collected and sold at most scrap metal yard.
• Aluminum Extrusions: These are aluminum sections used in construction, such as window and door frames.
• Aluminum Wheels: Car wheels are often made of aluminum, and these can fetch a good price at scrap metal dealers.
• Aluminum Appliances: Old aluminum household items such as refrigerators, window frames, and other appliances can be broken down for their scrap value.

Selling aluminum scrap is easy and straightforward, and it can quickly add up to a significant sum. Scrap metal yard usually accept a variety of aluminum products, making it a great choice for many sellers.

4. Car Scrap

Scrap cars and vehicles are among the most valuable types of scrap metal. When a car becomes too old or damaged to repair, it can be sold to a scrap metal dealer who will strip it for parts, such as the engine, wheels, frame, and other metal components. These parts are then sold to manufacturers who recycle them into new products.

What to Sell as Car Scrap:

• Steel Frame and Body: The majority of a vehicle is made from steel, which is highly valuable in the scrap metal market.
• Aluminum Wheels and Parts: Some car parts, including wheels, hoods, and engine blocks, may be made of aluminum, which has a higher resale value.
• Catalytic Converters: Catalytic converters are valuable due to the precious metals they contain (platinum, palladium, and rhodium), and they are often sold separately to scrap metal dealers.

When selling a car to a scrap metal yard, it’s important to remove any non-metallic components, such as rubber tires and fluids, to ensure you get the best price for the metal parts.

5. Brass Scrap

Brass, a metal alloy made primarily of copper and zinc, is commonly used in plumbing fixtures, musical instruments, and decorative items. Brass scrap is often worth more than other types of metals because of the copper content, making it highly sought after by scrap metal dealers.

What Can You Sell as Brass Scrap:

• Brass Faucets and Plumbing Fittings: These items are commonly found in homes and are frequently made of brass.
• Brass Coins: Older coins made of brass or brass alloys are valuable for scrap.
• Brass Decorations: Items like brass doorknobs, lamp bases, and other household decor are valuable scrap.

Selling brass scrap can be lucrative, and dealers typically pay more for items that are clean and free of any attached plastic, rubber, or paint.

6. Air Conditioning Units and Parts

Scrap air conditioning units, whether from residential, commercial, or industrial use, contain valuable scrap metal that can be sold. These units typically contain a mix of copper, aluminum, and steel, making them highly valuable to scrap metal dealers.

What Can You Sell from Air Conditioners:

• Copper Tubing: AC units often have copper tubing, which is highly valued by scrap metal dealers.
• Aluminum Fins: The condenser and evaporator fins are typically made of aluminum, which can be sold as scrap.
• Steel and Iron Parts: The frames and other structural components of air conditioning units are usually made from steel, which is valuable scrap metal.

Before selling an air conditioner to a scrap dealer, make sure any refrigerant is properly removed, as scrap metal dealers generally do not accept units that still contain refrigerants.

7. Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters, which are found in most vehicles, contain precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals are highly valuable, which makes catalytic converters a sought-after item in the scrap metal industry.

Why Catalytic Converters Are Worth Selling:

• Precious Metals Inside: The valuable metals inside the catalytic converter make it worth significantly more than other scrap metals.
• High Demand: Due to the demand for these precious metals, catalytic converters are often stolen from vehicles, leading to their high resale value.

If you have an old catalytic converter from a vehicle or machinery, you can sell it to a scrap metal dealer for a higher price due to the precious metals it contains.

8. Motor Scrap

Electric motors, found in various household appliances and industrial equipment, contain valuable materials like copper, aluminum, and steel. These motors can be taken apart and sold for scrap metal, with the copper windings being particularly valuable.

What Can You Sell as Motor Scrap:

• Electric Motors: These are commonly found in household appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, and power tools.
• Copper Windings: The copper wire used in electric motors is highly valuable to scrap metal dealers.

If you have broken or old scrap motors, disassemble them to separate the copper from the steel parts to maximise your payout when selling to a scrap metal yard.

9. Engine Scrap

Engines from old vehicles, machinery, or industrial equipment are rich in metals such as steel, iron, and aluminum. Selling engine scrap is a great way to make money while clearing out space.

What to Sell from Engine Scrap:

• Steel and Iron Parts: The majority of an engine is made from steel and iron, which are highly valued by scrap metal dealers.
• Aluminum Engine Blocks: Many engines, especially in newer vehicles, are made with aluminum blocks, which are also valuable.

When selling engine scrap, remove any non-metal parts like rubber hoses, plastic components, and fluids to ensure you get the best price for the metal.

Conclusion

Selling scrap metal to a scrap metal dealer is an easy way to earn some extra cash while getting rid of unwanted items. From copper wire and aluminum cans to entire car engines and catalytic converters, scrap metal yard are always looking for these valuable materials. By identifying the types of scrap metal you have and properly preparing them, you can maximise your earnings and contribute to the reuse of valuable resources. Whether you’re cleaning out your garage, updating appliances, or dismantling an old vehicle, there’s likely something valuable you can sell at your local scrap yard.